Vanderbilt's Balanced Attack Tops Boston College, 13-12

The Commodores used a balanced attack to establish a seven-goal lead and then held on with timely defensive stops for the victory. The Eagles had a pair of possessions in the game's final two minutes, but could not tie the match.

VU senior goalkeeper Natalie Wills made her biggest save of the game on a free position shot by BC All-American Kristin Igoe at the 1:42 mark. Then with only 30 seconds remaining, fellow senior Kendall Pittinger caused an Eagle turnover and the Commodores cleared the ball to run out the clock.

Nine Vanderbilt players tallied points in the contest, with seniors Hannah Clark and Alex Priddy and sophomores Katie Mastropieri and Abby Wheeler notching two goals apiece. Mastropieri linked up with junior Carly Linthicum on three occasions, with Linthicum scoring once and assisting on both of Mastropieri's goals.

Defensively, sophomore Alyssa Dunlap came up with a game-high five ground balls, followed closely by junior Paige Cahill's four ground balls. Wills made seven saves for Vanderbilt, including five in the second half.

Boston College held a 17-10 edge in draw controls, winning 10 of 14 draws in the second half. VU senior Ally Carey led all players with six draw controls, however, and won the game's final draw after the Eagles had pulled within one.

The Commodores never trailed in the game, scoring five of the first seven goals in the second half to take a 13-6 lead with 15:41 to play. Vanderbilt held on despite four second-half goals from Mikaela Rix, who netted a game-high five and added an assist in the closing minutes.

Vanderbilt (3-1) will travel to Buffalo, N.Y., this weekend to face Canisius on Sunday, March 11, at 11 a.m. CT (Noon local in Buffalo).